Compare low fee super funds

When shopping for a low fee super fund, it's important to pay attention to the types of super fees your fund charges, and how they compare to those of other funds.

Australian super funds charge a range of fees for different purposes, usually on a monthly basis or if you take an action - such as switching funds. The most common types of superannuation fees include:

• Administration fees – General fees to cover the cost of managing and operating your super fund membership.
• Advice fees – Fees for financial advice given about your super and investments.
• Investment fees – Fees for investment management, which can differ depending on the fund and investment strategy.
• Switching fees – Fees for changing your investment mix within the fund. Note that exit fees associated with closing or consolidating super accounts can no longer be charged, as of 1 July 2019.
• Transaction fees – Fees payable when you make a transaction such as contributing to the fund or withdrawing money.
• Insurance premiums – The cost of insurance coverage such as life insurance, income protection cover and/or total and permanent disability (TPD) cover.

Typically, these fees are deducted from your super balance any time you fulfil the criteria for being charged. In the case of admin fees, you’re usually charged each month that you’re a member of the fund.

One of the easiest ways to find out what a competitive super fund fee is in Australia is to compare funds against each other. But, you'll need to make sure you're comparing apples with apples in order to reach an accurate result.

RateCity's superannuation comparison tables can help you do this. Simply use the 'more filters' function and sort by 'calc fees on 50k'. Then, answer 'yes' to 'include all products'. This will sort your results from lowest to highest fees charged, based on an estimate of the fees on a $50,000 balance, invested in a fund's balanced option (check the disclaimer on the rate table for more specifics).

Keep in mind that the fees your fund may charge can differ based on your age, your super account balance and your investment option.

The short answer is that it depends. In some cases, choosing a fund with lower fees may be worthwhile because lower fees means more of your money can be reinvested and grow over time. For example, if your super balance is relatively low, you might choose a low-fee fund so that the fees don’t cut into your modest balance too significantly. 

Over the long term, however, lower fees don’t necessarily mean better returns for you. Your returns are based on a number of factors, including how you choose to invest your money, your particular super fund’s performance and the performance of the market.

Considering past performance isn't a reliable indicator of future performance, comparing fees should be an important factor of choosing a super fund that could play a part in growing your super over the long term.

Selecting an appropriate super fund isn’t just about choosing the fund with the lowest fees. Here are some of the other key considerations:

• Performance This refers to the investment returns a super fund has seen over a specified period, expressed as a percentage. Keep in mind that super is a long-term investment and returns fluctuate regularly – so it may be best to look at a fund’s overall returns over a longer-term period, minus fees and tax. Past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance, but it's worth comparing your fund's investment performance over at least five years.
• Investment options Most super funds offer different investment options ranging from stable (such as cash investment) to highly volatile (such as 100 per cent investment in shares and property), with balanced options in between. It's worth noting that funds with higher risk investment options may charge higher fees than more conservative funds, as it can cost more to invest in higher growth assets. Make sure that the fund you choose has a suitable investment option for your needs.
• Extra benefits Some employers pay more than the minimum contributions through certain funds. Consider whether you have access to an employer- or industry-specific fund where you can take advantage of these benefits.
• Insurance Most funds offer some level of life insurance cover for a fee. Check what coverage is available and the cost, to decide whether it's right for you.
• Customer service Look for a fund that can offer support when you need it, and consider the fees charged for services like financial advice.

There are a number of different types of super funds in Australia, each with different priorities and as a result, different fee structures.

When searching for low fee super funds, it's important to understand the different types of funds there are, and why they charge the fees that they do.

The five main types of super funds are:

1. Retail super funds
2. Industry super funds
3. Corporate/company super funds
4. Public sector super funds
5. Self-managed super funds (SMSFs)

The cost of the fees charged by each of these funds can vary greatly. For example, industry super funds don’t pay commissions to brokers, which other funds (such as corporate funds) charge as indirect costs associated with managing your account.

Industry super funds are not-for-profit funds that are run to benefit members. They tend to charge their members low fees compared to other funds.

In contrast, retail super funds are typically run by banks or investment companies, and aim to keep some of the profit they make to distribute to shareholders. Often, retail funds come at a higher cost than other funds. However, many offer a lower cost MySuper product option that may be better suited to some.

While often restricted to state and federal government employees, public sector funds also tend to offer members lower fees.

SMSFs may offer the most flexibility when it comes to fees, as you control the investments, insurance, and take on the management yourself. But keep in mind, SMSFs do tend to come with a lot more work and often a higher level of risk, so it's important to weigh up the pros and cons before choosing this type of fund.

Yes, you can manage your own super fund. Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) are a popular type of superannuation in Australia. 

An SMSF is your own personal super fund that gives you complete control over how your money is invested. SMSFs have similar benefits to professionally managed funds, such as concessional tax rates and the ability to accept contributions from your employer. But, they can also offer more flexibility and other other unique features.

Before you decide to look after your own superannuation with an SMSF, it's important to do your research. Consider speaking to a financial adviser to ensure you’re making an informed decision.

You can find out how your current super fund’s fees and costs shape up by doing a super fund comparison. Look at other funds' fee structures and costs to weigh up whether the fees you’re paying are reasonable.

Remember that low fees aren’t the only yardstick for determining the best fund for your retirement savings. It’s worth also considering long-term performance, investment options, benefits and insurance to get a clearer picture of whether a super fund is right for your individual financial situation.

Super fund comparison tools, such as RateCity's superannuation comparison tables, allow you to compare all of these factors and more, including any SuperRatings awards received by individual funds.